We are in the midst of a crisis that sends one in seven Chicago children to bed hungry.  It's called post-pandemic poverty.  The problem is absolutely global and national, too.  In the U.S. since 2020, eight million people have fallen into poverty. The Crisis Cast went searching for hope, and action.  Lissa Druss and Thom Serafin found that in Brian Bernardoni.  Brian is the president of the advisory board for the Salvation Army of central and northern Illinois.  During this episode, we get the backstory on the famous red kettles and the mystery behind those who donate gold coins.  Plus, we hear the way a Salvation Army summer camp changed the life of former Chicago Bears star Chris Zorich.

Thanks to WGN Radio for sharing the audio of Zorich's remarkable journey.